Critics Pick, New York Times. Romania’s submission to the 2021 Academy Awards
After an explosive fire claims the lives of 27 people at Bucharest nightclub, Colectiv, officials reassure the public that surviving victims will receive care in facilities that are “better than in Germany.” Weeks later, a rising causality count leads intrepid reporters at the Sports Gazette to investigate. Just as a crucial tip exposes Hexi Pharma, a local firm’s culpability, the firm’s owner dies under mysterious circumstances and the health minister quietly resigns amid the uproar -but this is only the first chapter in a thrilling, ever-twisting exposé. Closely tracking the efforts of the Gazette team as they methodically discover layer upon layer of fraud and criminal malfeasance, Collective is a fast-paced, real-time detective story about truth, accountability, and the value of an independent press in partisan times.
- “Hands down, the closest thing we saw at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival to a full-on masterpiece. Absolutely brilliant.” ~ David Fear, Rolling Stone
- “Every now and then a documentary doesn’t just open your eyes but tears you apart. An explosive observational documentary about unfathomable corruption. This is truly a documentary for our times.” ~ Jay Weissberg, Variety
*** Note – Ticket purchasers have special access to an interview with the director!